(More) Questions To Ask Your Asphalt Contractor Before Getting Started On Work

Asphalt paving has become the popular option for many homeowners seeking to have a smooth and attractive driveway. The paving material has a number of advantages when compared to concrete paving, making it a leading choice among many looking to build new driveways or change their existing ones. Even so, hiring a qualified asphalt contractor is important if the paving work is to be done in a professional manner.

If you are looking to get the best asphalt contractor for your project, here are some more questions you will need to ask the right before making the final decision.

What makes you stand out from other contractors?

As a property owner or manager, you want a contractor that stands above the rest when it comes to their workmanship and professionalism. Contractors also have a good understanding of the competition they face and how their fair in comparison. A good contractor will subsequently do what they can to eclipse their competition. Through this question, you get to know if you are working with the best contractor, and in what way. The answers you get could save you from having to carry out a long search or undertake a long vetting process.

Where can I see your earlier projects?

Getting a chance to look at earlier work done by a contractor is the best way to get an idea of the kind of work they will do for you. Most contractors have a gallery section on their website that allows you to browse through images of the work they have done before. If possible, visit similar projects that they have recently done in the area and asses the final outcome. Go further and ask for references to get an idea of the level of satisfaction previous clients had after their driveways were completed.

What is the scale of the project?

If you have been reviewing bids from a number of asphalt contractors before settling on the best one, you are likely to get mixed up with documents describing the scale of work to be done. Therefore, it is important for the contractor to provide clear details of the work they expect to do and ensure it matches your needs. If there are some areas they are not sure about or need to confirm on the work site, it needs to be stated clearly to avoid derailing the project in its initial stages. When the work to be done is clearly spelt out beforehand, it makes it easier for the project to be successful.

What are the project essentials?

Getting to understand the scale of work to be one is only the first step towards understanding the overall idea of the paving project. However, it is important to understand the parts of the project that should be given priority and those that do not. If operating on a budget, you will need to discuss with the contractor on the best way to ensure the most important parts of the project are completed first. Most times, your paving contractor will draw up a list of essentials to help you make an informed decision that will not exceed the budget.

What should I expect from you when we’re working together?

It is important to confirm what your asphalt contractor will be bringing to the table in regards to your working relationship. This allows both of you to start off the project on the same footing. For example, in regards to communication, the contractor can explain that they will be briefing you once daily, twice daily, every two days, etc. This question will allow you to understand such working modalities in regards to other areas such as the best times to communicate with them, working hours, etc.

What should I expect from you when we’re working together?

It is important to confirm what your asphalt contractor will be bringing to the table in regards to your working relationship. This allows both of you to start off the project on the same footing. For example, in regards to communication, the contractor can explain that they will be briefing you once daily, twice daily, every two days, etc. This question will allow you to understand such working modalities in regards to other areas such as the best times to communicate with them, working hours, etc.

Are there any extra charges i should know about?

When looking for bids for an asphalt paving project, most contractors will send in an estimate based on the information provided. However, after assessment of the actual work to be done, the costs may increase forcing you to go back into your pocket. Also, some projects have unique challenges that may only be seen when work has already started requiring the overall cost to go up again. The best way to avoid hidden charges is by asking your contractor to anticipate any extra costs and include them in the overall budget so that the project does not stall midway.

There’s a lot to consider when hiring a contractor for an asphalt paving project. Hopefully the questions highlighted above will make it easier to select the ideal contractor for the project you need done.